Alleged rape victim misidentifies attacker in Portland courtroom

The Associated Press •November 26, 2012 5:20 pm

Missing Credit

Missing Credit

Mohammed Mukhtar

PORTLAND, Maine — Prosecutors seeking to try a Somali refugee as an adult for allegedly raping a 50-year-old woman ran into a problem in court: The alleged victim identified a court interpreter as her attacker.

The Portland Press Herald says the courtroom fell silent Monday. After a recess, the woman walked closer to the defense table and identified the defendant as her assailant.

A judge in July had transferred the case of Mohammed Mukhtar of Portland to juvenile court.

Prosecutors had said Mukhtar was born on Jan. 1, 1994, making him 18 at the time of the crime. But Mukhtar’s attorney successfully argued he was born on Oct. 25, 1994, making him 17. Prosecutors are now seeking to have the case transferred to adult court because of the seriousness of the crime.